Automatic phonograph



Feb; 17, 1953 A. mob/STOCK 2,628 3 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Oct. 9, 1946 v -s Sheets-Sheet 1 Z k-2' I m Feb. 17, 1953 A. E. coMsTocK 2,623,843

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Oct. 9, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JWW Feb. 17, 1953 co s oc 2,628,843

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed 001;. 9, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Hal-.9

Feb. 17, 1953 A. E. coMsTo c ,628,

i AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Oct. 9, 1946 v I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ---v IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA III/[III Patented Feb. 17, 1953 iJITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Alfred E. Comstock, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 9, 1946, Serial No. 702,331 (01. 274-) 7 i 4 Claims. '1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic phonographs of the type adapted to play both sides of one or a plurality of records.

More particularly, the invention relates to automatic phonographs of the stated type wherein provision is made for rotatably supporting a stack of records above the usual turntable of a phonograph in position for playing the underside of the lowermost record of the stack, after which the record is ejected from the stack and deposited by gravity upon the turntable in position for playing the upper side of the record.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the character set forth embodying a novel record transfer mechanism including a rotatable spindle turntable incorporating novel means for shift ing a record from one playing position to another playing position.

Another'and equally important object of the invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the type described having a normally rotating turntable and an oppositely rotating coaxially extending record-supporting spindle together with improved and simplified means for rotating the turntable and spindle in respectively op- 'posite directions.

Another and highly important object of the invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the type described embodying novel mechanism for supporting a stack of records coaxially above the usual phonograph turntable which is characterized by novel means operable to eject from the stack the lowermost record and cause the same to be deposited by gravity upon the phonograph turntable.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic phonograph having record supporting mechanism as set forth wherein the means to eject the lowermost record from the supported stack thereof operates simultaneously which are supported in an elevated position by an ofiset portion of the spindle and periodically ejected therefrom by means movable between a position aligned with said coaxial end portion of the spindle and a position aligned withsaid offset portion thereof whereby the ejected record is aligned with the offset spindle portion and caused to move down the same by gravity and gebdeposited in playing position upon the turna is.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the character set forth embodying novel mechanism for controlling movement of the tone arm which is selectively operable to position the tone arm for playing one side only of one or a plurality of records or to position the tone arm for play- A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the type described having a tone arm incorporating novel detecting means operable to feel a record in either of its playing positions and determine and effect playing engagement of the tone arm stylus with the record in accordance with the diameter thereof.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of the type uppermost of said records,

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic phonograph having a record transfer mechanism of the character set forth which is driven from the .conventional drive of the phonograph turntable and which ineludes novel means operable to effect the necessary lateral and vertical movements of the tone arm and to control the transfer or change of records in synchronization of movements of said tone arm.

These and other objectsof the invention and the various features and details of the construction, arrangement and operation thereof are hereinafter fully set forth and described with reference to the [accompanying drawings, in which: v

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic phonograph made according to thejpresent invention.

' Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the disclosure in Fig. 1. Fig. '3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the disclosure in Fig. 1 wherein a portion of the turntable and underlying panel have been broken away to illustrate certain features and details of the construction and operation.

Fig. 4 is a development view of a control cam embodied in the present phonograph.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6. is a sectional view taken1on line 6-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the varying radial depth of the path of the control cam developed in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8, Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary. sectional view taken on line 9-9, Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the record supporting. and. transverse. mechanism. shown, in Fig; 9 illustrating the' other limit position; of. the record dischargeelement from. that; shown in Fig. 9.

Figs. 11 and. 12 areperspective views showing the. construction and relationship of certain of theparts of therecord transfer mechanism shown in Fig, 10..

Fig..1 3.is a. diagrammatic view illustrating the path of travel of, the. tone arm for a particular record set-up and i Fig, 1.4. isaplanview of; the: displacement foot of the record. discharge.elementshowing. a modifled-constructionthereot,

Referring. now. to. the. drawings, and. more particularly to Figs..1-.and2 thereof reference numeral. I,v designates. the. horizontal supporting panel. or: platform, of. the. phonograph which has mounted. thereabove the usual record. turntable 2. that, may, be. rotationally driven in. clockwise direction. with. respect. to. Fig, l by means of a motor 3,. driving awheel 4. having. a friction sur face. positioned. in engagementv with. the inner surface of the depending, peripheral skirt of the turntable.2.,

As shown; in. Fig... 9;. there is secured to the underside of the turntable 2, coaxially thereof, an annular supporting. plate-5 havinga hub portion 6 that is. surrounded by a, gear 1 which is secured. to. the underside of said. plate 5. The gear 1-1 ismeshed with. a. pinion 8. which, also is meshed with. a. pinion. 9. that in. turn. meshes with a. gear l0.-. Thegear. IJLis threaded. or otherwise secured upontheneck, of! athimble. ll having a shoulder. lZwhichissupported with. reference to the panel I by a thrust bearing, or. plate, I3. The lower end. of the. thi'mble- Ll. is journallecl in a bearing. Id providedin adependingbracket. l5 at the underside ofthepanel. I...

A. bearing, lfii is interposed. between, the hub. 6 of theplate. I. and. huh I]. of he. gear H1 and the construction and, arrangement. of said. gears and Pinionsis. such thatv rotational. movement of the turntable 2 and. itsgear I. the. clockwise direction indicated. will operate.v through. the pinicns 8 and 9 to drive the gear I0 and thimble l I. in the opposite or. counterclockwise. direction at the samespeedof rotation. as. the. turntable. 2. The hub I! andthimble ll form or provideasocket l8. coaxially of. the. turntablei which is adapted to receive. and support-anautomatic record transfer mechanism which constitutes an important feature of the presentinvention. and is described in, detail hereinafter...-

, The. pinion. 9, is,- fixed on, a. vertical shaft at which is rotationally supported inasuitable bearing 2|. at the underside.- or the panell and has secured on its lower end a worm 22. This worm 22 is meshed with a worm wheel 23 fixed on a sleeve 24 which is loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 25 that extends therethrough and has its opposite ends journalled in bearings 26 and 2'! as shown, for example, in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The sleeve 24 constitutes the driving member of a conventional type single revolution clutch C having a driven member; 28 which is, fixed on the shaft 25, and. these members 24 and 28 are constructed and arranged so that upon engagement of the clutch the shaft 25 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow through a single complete revolution (360) and then comes to rest in accordance with the usual and well-known operation of clutches of this type.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, thereis fixed on the shaft 25 a cam member generally designated 29 which is provided with a common surface portion 30 extending substan tially one-half the circumference thereof and in the remainder of itscircumference the cam 29 is formed to provide axially adjacent. circumferentially extending cam surface portions 3| and 32, respectively, of greater and less. diameter than the surface 30, which function to control vertical positioning of the pickupor tone. arm 33 of the phonograph.

Inthe.presentinstance and as .shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the. tone. arm. 3.3. is mounted for vertical pivotal movement. by means of a cross pin. 3.4 which passes. throughthe arms 35 of a brackettfi that. is fixed. to theupper end of a vertically extending sleeves]. The sleeve 37. is one of. a pair of telescopic.sleevemembers 31 and 35 which. are.ro.tationa1lysupported in abearing 39 secured in. upstanding. relatiQn. on. the panel l. The inner. sleeve 31. is of greater axial length than the outer sleeve 38 and slidably. mountedwithin the inner sleeve. 31 is. a. control rod 49 which has itsupper end disposed in. engagement with a pad M at theunderside of. a. counterweight or balance device i2 and its. lower; endengaging upon a pad 3'3, on the arm portion 4.4. ofi'a lever which is generally designated. This, lever 45 carries a roller or follower 46 which is disposed in contact with the cam member 29 which operates to pivot the lever d5 vertically and. thereby effect axial movement. of. the. rod 40. to. control vertical positioning of. the pickup or tone arm 33 as described in detail hereinafter.

Vertical swinging or positioning. of the pickup or tOne. arm 33 for selective. engagement thereof with, a record which is supported above or below the arm as the Case may be is. controlled by the counterweight device. 42 which. is. piv mounted with respect to the tone arm 33 upon the aforesaid crosspin. 34"., Aportion of, the counterweight device extends. forwardly Of. the cross pin 3 as indicated. at. 4.1.. and. provided with an adjustable. set screw .48. adapted to bear against thev underside of. the, tone, arm 33. Thus the counterweightdeyice 4.2.1Lo17mally urges the tone arm 33 in the clockwise direction with respect to Fig- 5 of. the drawings for upward, engagement with. a recordon a stack: above, the tone arm while thrust applied to. the. pad 4| by upward actuation of the rod 46. serves to. move, the. tone arm in the ceun ercl kw se direction. a t e cross pin. 34 in position. for play ng. a. record disposed upon the. turntable 2.. A coiled torsion spring e5 surrounds the cross pin 34, andv acts between the tone. arm 3.3 and one of, the, armsv 3,5 of bracket 36 to urge the. tone arm in the, clockwise direction h. respect to Fig. 5 thus lessenin he stylus pressureupona record onthe turntable 2 due to the Weight of the tone arm. On the other hand, .the arrangement of the spring 49 and counterweight device 42 is such that the calculated forces thereof decrease progressively as clockwise movement of the tone arm 33 takes place so that the pressure of the stylus upon a record supported above the tone arm 33 will be substantially the same as the pressure of the stylus upon a record on the turntable 2.

Referring again to the lever which is actuated by means of the cam member 29 to control vertical positioning of the tone arm 33 through movement of the rod 46, it is to be noted with reference to Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, that said lever 45 is pivotally mounted on the stud of the yoke 5| which in turn has a vertically extending stud 52 that is rotatably mounted in a bearing 53 whereby pivotal movement also is afforded the lever 45 and its supporting yoke 5| in the horizontal plane. The arm portion 54 of the lever 45 which carries the aforesaid follower 46 extends oppositely of the pivot 59 from the lever arm portion M and has its free end terminating in an angularly arranged upwardly directed hook portion 55, the purpose of which will appear later.

With further reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the horizontal pivotal position of the lever 45 and its supporting yoke 5| is provided for the purpose of affording selective positioning of the follower $6 for contact with one or the other of the surfaces 3| or 32 of the cam 29. In the present instance, this horizontal positioning of the lever 45 is controlled by mean of a cam member 60 having an internal surface 6| which is contacted by a roller or follower 62 that is rotatably mounted at the free end ofan arm portion 53 of the aforesaid yoke 5|. The roller or follower 62 is biased into contact with the cam surface 6| at all times by means of a torsional spring 64 which is interposed between the bearing 53 and yoke 5| about the spindle 52.

As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the cam fill is fixedly associated with a gear 55 that is secured on a horizontally extending shaft 56 journalled in a bearing 61. The gear 65 is meshed with a gear 68 which is fixed on the shaft-25 and this latter gear 68 has a diameter one-half the diameter of the gear 65 with the result that each time that the gear 68 is caused to be rotated through a single revolution upon engagement of the clutch C the gear 35 will be rotated one-half of a revolution or 180. Thus two complete rev olutions of the gear 68 on the shaft 2.5 are required in order to rotate the gear 65 and its associated cam 33 through one complete revolution. Duly related to the ratio of the gears 65 and 68 is the configuration of the surface 6| of the cam 5|), and in this connection it is to be noted that said cam surface 6| is eccentrically arranged and contoured to cause the yoke 5| and lever 45 to pivot horizontally and thereby selectively present the follower 36 alternately in position to traverse the surfaces 3| and 32 of the cam .Zilwith resulting pivotal movement of said lever 45 in the'vertical plane to control vertical positioning of the tone arm 33 through axial movement of the rod 46.

As distinguished from vertical swinging movement of the tone arm 33, horizontal. swinging movement or traverse of said tone arm 33 is controlled by a cylindrical cam: member it at all times except during inward swing of the tone arm under the control of the usual recordagroove as,

for example, during the playing of a record. Like the vertical positioning control cam member 29, the horizontal control cam 10 likewise is secured upon the shaft 25 for rotation therewith. The cam 10 has a circumferentially extending track H which is arranged and contoured as shown in development of Fig. 4 of the drawings and has a varying radial depth as shown in the diagrammatic sectional view of Fig. 7.

Engaged within the camtrack 7| is a roller type follower 12 which is operatively connected to a control arm 73 through the agency of a vertical slidable pin [4 which rides on the bottom of the cam track 1|. The control arm '13 has its other end secured to the aforesaid inner sleeve 31 adjacent the lower end thereof by means of a split collar arrangement 15 and, upon rotation of the cam 10, it will be apparent that the control arm 13 will be caused to move horizontally thereby correspondingly rotating the inner .sleeve 31 and tone arm 33 supported thereon.

The outer sleeve 38 of the aforesaid pair of telescopically slidable sleeves has its lower end formed to provide an annularly grooved shipper ring which is engaged by radial trunnions 8| carried by forked lever 82. This lever 82 is pivoted intermediate its ends within a longitudinally extending slot 83 provided in the control arm 13 and at its free end is provided with a foot or pad 84 disposed in engagement with the upper end of the vertical slidable follower pin 13.

As previously stated the cam track varies in depth circumferentially of the cam as diagramratically shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, and it will be apparent, therefore, that the lever 82 will be urged in clockwise direction about its pivot in accordance with the'depth of the cam track H, the pin 14 serving simultaneously to transmit horizontal movement through the arm 13 and sleeve 31 to the'tone arm 33. Clockwise movement of the lever 82 is resisted by a coiltension spring 85 which'operates to maintain the pin 14 against the bottom of the cam track H and to elevate the sleeve 38 as the said pin descends.

The inner sleeve 31-is in a fixed position vertically and, as previously stated, has its lower end secured to the control arm 73 which in itself is vertically sustained in its horizontal swinging movement by a thrust bearing 8%. Depending from the bracket 36 and secured on the upper end of the sleeve 3'! is an ear 9i! and the ad jacent upper end of the outer vertical reciprocable sleeve 38 is'provided with a generally similar depending ear 3|. Pivotally connected at a medial point and at one end, respectively, to the cars and 9| is a bell crank 32 which has its free end pivotally connected to a pair of elongated links 93 and 94 for actuating, a pair of feeler members 95 and 96 which are pivotally mounted with respect to the tone arm 33 upon a common pivot 91 located at a point sufficiently forwardly on said arm to be engageable in operable or extended position with the edge of it inch record, the uppermost record on the turn table 2, or the lowermost record of a vertically elevated stack supported above the turntable 2 by the automatic record transfer mechanism hereinafter described. r

The construction and arrangement of the hell. crank 92 and the elongated links 553 and fit, re spectively, issuch that relative axial movement of the sleeve 38 with respect to the sleeve 3? caused by vertical rocking movement of the lever 82 according 'tothe depth of the cam track ll results in pivotal Increment or the. fieelers 55; and 93 between the collapsed dotted line positions thereof shown in Fig; and relatively projected position: exemplified by: the solid line positions shown therein.- In this connection, it is to be noted thatthe arrangement and location. of the links and. several pivot axes is: such that as the tone arm 33. is downwardly inclined by upward actuation of rod 40, the lower feel'er 96- is projected an. increasing distancebelowthe tone arm to maintain the. stylus: at an elevation above the turntable 2? sufficient: to clear the uppermost record of a limit stack: of, say a dozen, records thereon. In. the case of the records supported in elevated. playing. position. upon the spindle I 33, it will be apparent that the position vertically" of the lowermost. record thereon. will always be the same sov that. there is: no need for increasingly projecting the upper feeler 95 as. the tone arm 33 is tilted upwardly" and: therefore the feeler 95: is projected a substantially uniform. distance above the tone: arm throughout the. entire arc of upward inclination. thereof. The. functioning of the feelers; 95 and. 9.5. will he elaborated upon. in greater detail. hereinafterand' for the present it will. be sufiicient to; state that-in conjunction with the cam track. It these feelers determine the position of the. tone arm. 33. to play either a large or a small record.

Utilization is made; of the. horizontal movement of the tone. arm. 33 to effect; automatic engagement of; the clutch. C. and this may be. accomplished. as. shown in, Fig. 3 of the drawings by means of a link; I03. which is; operatively connected to a:- clutch control box lfll. that is operable to,- initiate. operationof clutch C2. The link i 00, is-actuatedby a; bell. crank: t0! pivoted on the panel I. and, adapted. to; be swung in the. clockwise direction by a lost motion. connector me having an adjustable stop I04 for engagement with the bell crank I02 atthe completion. of the playing of a record. The; opposite; end of the connector I03 is pivoted to. an extension 112.5 on the. control arm 13-with the result that when said control arm 13 has traversed a sufficient angle in the clockwise direction. under the influence. of the tone arm: 33 during the playing of a record, the bell crank. I112 will be. pivoted to actuate link It!!! and thereby engage the. clutch C effecting; rotation of the shaft; 25. and. cams. 2.3- and 1!). through. a. single complete. revolution.

Referring more particularly to. the; cam 18 and the developed viewthereof shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will beobserved: that. the trackll thereof has an enlarged, generally triangular portion H0. in which the. follower 1:2. and. pin; l4 are initially disposed. At the-time; drive shaft 25; and cam 50 come to rest, at. the completion of a. single revolution eiiectedby engagement of. the; clutch C, theposition of the follower 72 will be in one. orthe other of the dotted line positions a. orb shown in said Fig. 4. depending upon whether the record about to be played. and; with respect to which the tone arm. 33. is. positioned is; a. inch or 12-inch record, respectively. At this time the tone arm stylus is about to.- commence: or has commenced the first few turns. of. the. groove in arecord and thetone. arm 33v is under the control. of therecord groove. As inward traverse of the tone-arm takes place. during playing of the record the follower 12 will travel. a. substantially straight path with respect, to. the. drawings to a. positionv designated. 0 in. Fig. 4 of; the drawings.

At: this time the stylus has. completed the final few turnsv of the: groove.- of the record, the tone arm 3.3 has been freed of control of the record and rod $03 has been actuated to engage its stop 103 with the bell crank I02 to engage the clutch C- to cause the shaft 25 to rotate the cams 29 and H1- through one complete revolution. As this single revolution of the cams takes place, the follower 46- of lever 45 moves on to the neutral surface 30 of cam 29 thereby positioning the tone arm 33 in the neutral or intermediate position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings and the cam 70 rotating through the first 18'0" operates through engagement of the angularly' disposed wall H! of the track 1| to move the follower l2 horizontally from the position indicated at c to the position d in Fig. 4, thus moving the tone arm 33 horizontally outward through the medium of the control arm 13 and sleeve 37'. At this time the follower 12 enters the portion of the track II which operates to position the tone arm 33 for the succeeding record-playing operation, and it is during this. portion of the operative movement of thecam H that the feelers 95 and 96 come into operation.

In this connection and with reference to Fig. '7 of the drawings, itis; reiterated that the depth of track H of thecam it varies materially. Thus, in the cycle from 0 to the track it is: of uniform radial depth, increases steadily from 90'to 18d to a. radial depth approximatelythree times that existing in the cycle from 8 to. 90, then continues uniformly at this increased depth for the cycle from 18.0" to. 270 and? then decreases steadily in depth throughout. the next 90 to the starting point. Thus, it will be apparent that as the cam "Ell rotatesrelative to the follower pin is the latter will rise. and; fall in the cam track ii. A the pin T4 falls the spring 85 elevates the outer sleeve 38 causing clockwise rotation of the bell crank 92 to thereby pivot the feelers 9.5 and 93 into substantially the. positions: shown in solid lines in Fig. 5 wherein said feelers project on of the: tone arm 33.. This actuation of feel 55 and 56 takes place somewhat to commencement of inward swing of the tone which is caused by traverse of the follower E2 along the portion H2 of the track ll of the earn 143* and will be. succeeded at a later phase by depression or elevation of. the tone arm 33' as the follower 35 of the lever 45 rides. onto the surface 3! or 32 of the cam 29.

The function of feelers 9% and $5 is to control positioning of the tone arm with respect to a particular 10 inch or 12 inch record that is in position to be played. Thus in the distended posi tion of the feelers shown in Fig. 5, as the tone arm. 33' is moved inwardly by cam ill. the said feelers and 35 will engage enclwise against a 19 inch record whereupon the tone arm 33 will be held against further inward movement. At this instant the follower 72 will have traversed the portion N2 of the track H of the cam H3 to a. position designated a in alignment with the straight line portion H3 of the track I! whereupon continued rotation of the cam lit causes the follower 72" to traverse said track portion 53 which holds the horizontal position of the tone arm 3'3 in mm. inch LO commence playing a 10 inch record.

On.the other hand, in the event a 12 inch r c is in the playin position the feelers 95 and .95 in their distended position shown in Fig. 5 of the IfaWmgS do n gage said 12 inch record ed ewise thereof as in the case of the 10 inch redi but do agev upon the face of the record. The result of. this is that continued inward move of: the tone arm 33 is not interf mam ered with and the follower I2 instead of traversing the cam track portion I I3 wil1 continue to traverse the angular track portion II2 to the dotted line position designated f in Fig. 4 thus causing the tone arm 33 to continue to travel inwardly to a point slightly past the 19 inch circumference. At this point follower I2 traverses the cam track portion I M which operates to return the tone arm 33 to the 12 inch playing position prior to actuation of the rod 49 for elevating or depressing the tone arm 33 as previously described.

In connection with the foregoing, it is to be noted that at the intersection of the cam track portions H2 and H3 of the cam l9 there is provided a hinged or pivoted gate member I I which is urged by a spring I IS clockwise into the position shown in Fig, 4 of the drawings and operates normally to prevent entrance of the follower I2 into the 10 inch record track portion II3 except in instances Where the feelers 95 and 95 horizontally position the tone arm for. playing a record of that size, the strength of the spring I 26 being such as to confine travel of the follower I2 to arm 33 outwardly of the periphery ofthe'record discs in a neutral position vertically thereb'e tween.

The above operations occur successively when the device is set for fully automatic operation, the stylus carried at the free end of the tone arm 33 successively engaging first the lowermost side of the upper record, then the topmost side of a lower record, then thelowermost side of a second upper record, and so on. When automatic operation in this manner is not desired, means are provided to prevent horizontal oscillation of the lever 45 so that its follower 46 is retained in engagement with one or the other of the surfaces, usually the surface 3I, of the cam 29. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, a latch I2I is pivoted at' I22 at the underside of the panel I and is arranged to engage the previously described end portion 55 of the lever 45. An appropriately marked manual control'button I23 is provided at the upper side of thepanel I and the track portion I I2 for 12 inch records yet sufficiently yielding to allow follower l2 readily to .L

enter the track portion II 3 in the case of a 10 inch record. Similar gate members'I I1 and H8 biased by springs I I9 and I20 are provided at the intersections of the cam track portions H4 and H3, and these function normally to confine travel of the follower 12 within the track portion H3 in the case of 10 inch record operation while permitting the said follower I2 readily to pass crosswise in the course of traversing the cam track portion H4 in the case of 12 inch record operation.

. As the cam I0 approaches 0 (or 360 the fol lower [2 passes again into the large triangular iii) connected thereto is a control finger I24 which carries a pin I25 that is arranged to engage with a detent or recess I26 in the latch I2 I. The manually operative button I23 may operate either to maintain the latch I2I in a position disengaged from the lever 45 as shown in solid lines or .in restraining engagement therewith as illustrated in dotted lines.

In this latter position horizontal movement of the lever 45 to selectively position the follower 46 with respect to the cam surfaces 3| and 32 is precluded andthe follower 4B is held at all times in position for engagement with the raised cam surface portion 3I with the result that 'folwill be vertically pivoted inthe counterclockwise portion II9 from either the cam track portion 7 i 53 or the cam track portion I I4 depending upon whether the feelers 95 and 96 have operated to position the tone arm 33 to play a 10 inch or 12 inch record, respectively. Simultaneously the pin 24 under the influence of the radial depth of the cam track 'lI operates through the control arm 32 and sleeve 33 to move the feelers 95 and 95to the contracted position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and the cam follower 4 6 then moves onto the surface 3I or 32 of the cam 29 causing the tone arm 33 to be lowered or raised in the vertical direccam member 29 is fixed circumferentially upon the shaft 25 for rotation therewith is such that when the said shaft 25 and cam 29 are at rest (i e. during the playing of a record) the follower 46 carried by the lever 45 is in engagement either with the depressed cam surface 32 of said cam 29 or the raised cam surface 3| thereof, and that arrangement is such that the follower 46 leaves the depressed or raised surface 3I or 32 at the start ofrotation of the shaft 25 upon en, gagement of the clutch C. At such time the follower 45 passes onto the common or neutral surface 35 of the cam 29 thereby operating through the lever 45 and rod to return the tone arm 33 vertically to the neutral position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, following which the tone arm 33 is swun outwardly by rotation ofg -the' lee ve 37 eifectedby control arm 83 actuated by the cam III. This positions the tone direction with respect to Fig 5 of the drawings, thereby actuating the rod 40 upwardly with re-; sulting counterclockwise movement of tone arm 33 to engage its stylus upon the top surface of a record on the turntable 2. The peculiar shape and flared end 55 of'the lever permits en-' gagement thereof by the latch member I2I notwithstanding vertical pivoting of the lever 45 about its pivot 59. Appropriate designations single or double{ may be fixed on the panel "i and the button I23provided with a suitable indicating pointer I2'I to facilitate the described selective positioning of the latch I2I. In addition, suitable indicating means may be provided to indicate which record surface the stylus is going to engage in the case of double-sided opera: tion of'the machine. i

As previously stated, the record transfer mechanism constitutes an especially important feature of the present invention and referring to Figs. 9,10, 11 and 12 of the drawings, a record transfer mechanism made according to the invention comprises a tubular spindle support structure I39 which is constructed and arranged to seat within the socket I8 provided coaxially of the turntable 2 by the thimble II and hub I! of the gear Ill. The spindle I30 is provided'with diametrically arranged bayonet slots I3I that are releasably engaged by radial pins I32 secured to said hub I1, and thespindle I30 is rotationally driven thereby in the direction opposite to rotation of the turntable 2 and at the same rate of speed as said turntable as and in the manner previously described herein. Coaxially arranged within thesocket I8 providedin the thimble II is a coil spring I33 which acts between the base of the socket I8 and a thrust disc I34 to urge the spindle I33 upwardly and thereby retain the 11 pins I32 .asa nstaccidehtal d ensas ent mm the partner slots I31, the spindle 139 bein readily -removable merely by exerting a downward thrust thereon against spring E33, then rotating the Spindle a few figi'ees and finally lifting it upward and out of the socket 18..

With reference particularly to Figs. 9 and 19 of the drawings, it is to be noted that the spindie I36 has approximatelyfits lower half portion I 35 disposed truly coaxial with respect to the rotational axis of the turntable 2, Aboveth'is coaxial lower portion I35, the spindle 430 has a porti'qh 'liq that is inclined butwardly at a Small acute angle with respect to the vertical and then has a portion I3? thereof disposed slightly offset from the axis and extending vertically upward from said inclined por ti'on 1136 so that the upper end "oi th'e spindle -portion "I31 provides an onset sup ort 'Orsfh0u1der 138 With respect to the base of thespi'ndle. Fixedlyjsecured within the Spindle oifjset m is a plug I39, and supported in space reason .abbve said ofis'e't as an extensioh of plug I39 through a connecting portion I4 5 o f 're uced cross-sectional area, is "a post 14: is disposed'truly coaxial with the axis of s lower peruse I35. I v g d that the space vertically between the offset support ors'houlder I 33 and the post MI is slightly "excess or the t ickness of a record disc, and operable within this space the islotted disp1acing .foot 112 or a record discharge element I43 that is pivotally mounted upon a pin I'M disposed crfosswifse of a vertical 'sl lo t "I45 in the "aforesaid plu 139 and has an arm portidh I45 exten ing downwardly within thespindlefportion I36 {a substantial distance belcw the said "plug T39. Carried by the discharg element 1 43 at the lower ehd thereof is a new spring "mfl which "arranged to enga e the inte or Wall [of the spindle I30 and urge the element I43 in the clockwise fdi're'ctib'n with referenceto Fig. IOIso asno m uy to maintainthe displicifig foot [42 thereof Within the peripheral 9Q fin l fithepds't 'm l. AS ,illustiated, the post I41 'f'is acaptea'tereeeivepa -stack for records "which rest'br faresupported upio'n the'shoulde'r "I with we" I. I tr'al ueuing of the lowermost record of pie taiik siirroilhiiin'g the foot r42 (see Fig.10'). An inverted turntable in the form of a. lightght :{disc I 431s iteljescoped upon the "post MI @ndiiStS HD0211 "thefstack Qf 'recbifis to'mai'ritaih ate horizontal'pla'ying position g. in rit "y the stylus "and this disc'l48 is' sli'dablykey'dto the postMI as indicated :at

I49 50 that .rotationarmweineh't of the latter imparted to Said disc and thereby to 'the records.

it will he apparent from'the'foregoing that discharge "offthelowermost record of the elevated stack supported by the spindleshoulder I38 is a'ccbmpus'rid by pivotal movement "of the disc arse Telement I43 in the counterclockwise direction againstlits spring I41 to cause the displaciiig lfoot I42thereof to move in the samedirection into the position'show'n in Fig. 9 of'the drawihgs'the r'ehy disengaging the lowermost rec- 0rd ,frointhe shoulder I38 and positioning the central "opening of such discharged record "in alignmehtwi-th the Spindle offset-portion I31 so that said record will travel down the spindle underthe influence ofgravity and be deposited in playing posiusn upon the turntable 2. vBy making thefo ot I42 in the form of a disk substantially the'di'anieter of the spindle it will be apparent that an extensive surface area is provided peripherally of the foot for engagement with the central Opening wall of line records thereby minimizing chipping or cracking thereof which might occur in the event the records were engaged by elements having relatively small contact area. I,

In connection with the discharge of records by the displacement foot I52 it is pointed out that when a full stack of records is on the spindle I the pressure exerted by the weight of the stack upon the bottom record is substantial and if not relieved makes discharge of the bottom record difiicult and sometimes impossible; To overcome this, the 'foot 32 is given a height or vertical thickness sufficient to cause the upper surface I Mather'eof to engage beneath the next to lowermost record with a force suihcient to lift the stack and relieve the weight and pressure thereof from the lowermost record as it is engaged by the leading peripheral edge portion I422; of the foot to discharge the same. The upper surface 1 32a of the foot is curved or sloped outwardly to the leading peripheral edge I421) as shown in order to enable the said edge H422) to clear beneath the next to lowermost record and to bring said upper surface 12a sinoothiy into engagement beneath said next to lowermost-record.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the slotted configuration of the displacement foot I42 forms spaced vertically extendin edges in the peripheral contact surface I @212 thereof and to elimihate the possibility of damage to the record the construction shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings may be employed if desired. In the construction of Fig. 14, the slot opening in the foot I42 is closed by means of 'a spring clip or similar band or strip I320 suitably secured in place, for example, by means of fingers at-opposite ends thereof which resiliently engage within recesses provided in the peripheral surface of the foot as shown. In this manner the foot is provided with an uninterrupted or continuous peripheral surface of substantial extent and area for contact with the defining wall of the central spindle opening in the records thereby insuring elimination of the possibility of damage and injury to the records.

Pivotal'movement of the discharge element I43 to disengage a record as described is eiiected in the present embodiment of the invention by means of a cam rod I56 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement within the spindle I 30 upon a cross pin l5I that passes through a slot I52 in said rod. The cam rod itil at its upper end" has an angularly disposed fiat face I53 which is arranged to engage a lug I54 onthe discharge element I43 and activate the latter counterclockwise upon upward actuation of the cam rod I50, the s'pring IG'I "ca'lfid by said element M3 opcrating normally to maintain said cam rod I at the lower limitof its vertical traverse.

Actuation of the cam rod I 53 in turnis eifected by means 'of a "push rod I55 which is 'slidably mounted coaxially in the spindle supporting thimble II and hasits upper "end engaged with thelowerend of thesaid cam rod is? and has its lower endin'cohtactwith a cam member I56. The cam I56 is slidably keyed upon the aforesaid'drive shaft '25 and hence the said cam I58 will be rotated one complete revolution each time that'the clutch C 'is engaged in the manner previously described herein,

It will be obvious, of course, that in the case of so-called double operation wherein the stylus of thetone arm 33 successively engages first the lowermost side of the upper record, then the topmost side of a lower record, then the lowermostside of a second record, and so on, it will be apparent that the cam I56 should operate to cause the transfer of a record only every other cycle or,.in other words, every other time that the clutch C is engaged to rotate the shaft 25 and its control mechanisms through two complete successive revolutions. On the other hand, in the case ofso-called single operation, such as only the upper surfaces of successive records deposited on the turntable 2, it will be obvious that it is necessary a record. should be deposited by the transfer mechanism onto the turntable'Z each successive cycle of operation of the device or, in other words, each time that the clutch C is engaged to rotate the shaft 25 and the control cams thereof through a single complete revolution.

To take care of this, the cam I56 is slidable upon the shaft 25 and its raised or nose portion I51 has an axial thickness or width just one-- half that of the cam so that it may be moved into and out of the path of the push rod I55 as required. Thus, in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the.

cam I55 is axially positioned so that its raised or nose portion I51 is engaged with the push rod I 55 to urge the latter upward and effect discharge of a record from the offset or shoulder I38 in the manner previously described, and with the cam in this position axially of the shaft 25 it will be apparent that upon each rotation of said shaft 25 that the cam I55 will operate to actuate the record discharge mechanism and deposit a record upon the turntable 2. On the other hand, it will be apparent that by shifting the cam I56 axially of the shaft 25 to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the raised or nose portion.

I51 thereof is removed from the path of the push rod I55 so that the cam I55 may be rotated by the shaft 25 without actuating the push rod to effect discharge of a record from the spindle I30.

Therefore, to control the position of the cam I55 axially of the shaft to effect successive or alternate cycle operation of the record discharge mechanism, a link I60 is provided which is connected at one endto an extension I6I on the lever 45 and at its other end to a shifter rod Hi2 that is slidably guided in a bearing I53 at the underside of the panel I. This shifter rod I52 has a laterally offset finger which is engaged with a shipper ring I54 associated with the cam I58 and arranged so that as the lever 45 is alternately swung horizontally clockwise with the yoke'5I under the actuating influence of the cam 80, as viewed with respect to Fig. 5, it will operate through the link I60 and rod I52 to axially shift the cam I56 to the position shown in said thereof is removed from the path of the spindle control push rod I55, the reverse or counterclockwise movement of said lever 45 operating 25, whereas when the knob I23 is set for single. operation in which the lever 45 is held against horizontal movement by the latch I2I, the rods I50 and I52 will be ineffective to axially shift the 14 cam I56 with the result thatvi t wni remain iii the position wherein its raised or nose portion I51 is disposed in the path of the transfer mechanism rod I55 which will be actuated thereby to cause dis-charge of a record at each operating cycle or every time that the clutch C is engaged to effect rotation of the shaft 25 and cam K55 through one complete revolution as described.

Inaddition to effecting automatic engagement of the clutch C as previously described herein, provision i made for manually engaging said clutch C as desired. To this end there is provided, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, a knob or button I10 which is affixed to a vertically extending rod or shaft I1 I that is slidably telescoped within a rotatable sleeve I12 supported in the panel I by a collar I13. The shaft I1I has a pin I14 which projects through a vertical slot I15 in sleeve 412 and when knob I10 is depressed this pin I14 is engageable with one arm of a bell crank I16 to rotate the latter;counterclockwise about its pivot I11. The other arm of the bell crank I16 is connected to a link 118 which enters the clutch control box IOI to actuate the latter in the same fashion as does the link I05. By this construction it will be apparent that upon' manual depression of knob I10 the clutch C will be engaged to thereby-initiate the described operating cycle of thephonograph. In addition to the foregoing, the clutch C may be permanently disconnected to permit fully manual positioning, playing and changing of records. This is accomplished in the present instance by providing an arm I10 on the sleeve I12 and con necting to said arm alink I that also is connected with the aforesaid clutch control EOI. Thus upon rotation of the knob I10 the sleeve I12 is correspondingly rotatedto actuate link I30 and render the clutch C entirely inoperative. 'While the operation of the present invention is believed to be entirely clear from the foregoing-a brief description with reference to a particular record set-up, such as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 13 of the drawings, is deemed to be desirable even at the expense of some reiteration. Thus, in the case of fully automatic operation of the phonograph and assuming that the clutch C is engaged thereby rotating shaft 25 through its single revolution and that the tone arm 33 is in its neutral position (designated m in Fig. 13) preparatory to playing the upperside of a 10 inch record R on the turntable 2. As rotation of shaft 25 continues through its single revolution, the cams-29 and 10 thereon operate to cause the tone arm 33 to traverse an inwardly declining path until the projected feeler 96 contacts the upper surface of the next lower 12 inch record R thereby limiting downward travel of the tone arm 33 to position n whereupon the cam 10 moves the arm 33 inwardly until the said feeler engages the 10 inch record R edgewise thereof in the position 0 where it is held by the track portion II3 of cam 10 while the cam 29 operates to depress the tone arm 33 into the playing position p and playing of the untiI'feeIerSB, which is projected still further as continued downward movement of the arm 33 takes place, engages the surface of the turntable Z'and then is moved inwardly to engage the 10 inch records edgewise thereof, downward movementiof theftonearm 33 being initially arrested 3 at a. hei ht above the turn able sumcient to. maintain the tone ar stylus above the upper most record or a limit, stack thereon so. that it is in position to be lowered into. playing engage ment with the surface of the record.

When playing of the record R is completed. the clutch C is again engaged and cams 29 and id operate to return the tone arm 33' from the inward position q to the neutral position m. Thereafter, continued rotation of the cams 29: and it through their single revolution causes the tone arm 33 to follow an upwardly inclined path until the feeler 95 contacts the lower faceof the elevated 12 inch record R thereby limiting upward travel of the arm to the position s. From this position the cam. 10 through its track portions H2 and H4 causes the tone. arm 33 to move inwardly to the position tand, then. return outwardly to the playing position. u, the.

cam 29 cooperating in this latter movement to.

elevate the tone arm 33 into contact with the. record R Upon completion of the playing of the 12 inch record R the arm 33 is returned from the position v to the position m. by the cams 29 and it and at this time, the cam I56. on shaft operates to actuate the record transfer meche. anism and eject the record R thus causing it to travel down the spindle and be deposited upon the turntable 2 whereupon the described opera-.. tions will be repeated to cause the tone arm 33 to be moved into playing position on the upper side of the record R which is. then restingupon the turntable 2.

From the foregoing description it will be ap parent that the present invention provides a novel and improved automatic phonograph of the character set forth having the conventional record turntable and an oppositely rotatable spindle structure extending coaxially of the turntable and adapted to receive thereon one or more records which are supported in an elevated position by an offset portion of the spindle. andperiodically ejected therefrom into alignment with said offset portion. for travel by gravity down; the spindle into playing: position upon the turntable. The invention also provides an automatic phonograph of the character set forthhaving novel mechanism for controlling movement of the tone armwhich is selactivelyoperable to position the tone arm for playing one side only of one or a plurality of records or to position the tone arm for playing bothsides of such one or more records.

'i'heinvention further provides atone arm forautomatic phonographs which incorporatesnovel detecting means operable to "feel a record in either or its playing positions and determine and effect playing engagement of the tonearm stylus with the record in accordance with its; diameter. The. invention additionally provides; a novel record transfer mechanism for automatic" phonographs which is driven from the conventional drive of the phonograph turntable and" includes means operable to effect the necessary lateral and vertical movements of the tone arm and to control the transfer or records in synchronization with; movements of said tonearm.

While a. particular embodiment of the present invention ha been: illustrated? and described herein it is not intended to limit the inventionto such disclosureiand changes and modifications be made therein and. thereto within the scope of the claims.

I clai I '1. In a; phonograph having arrecord turntablet 16 a transfer mechanism for supporting above said turntable a, plurality of vertically superimposed records having an interface between adjacent records comprising a spindle mounted coaxially of the turntable and including relatively axially spaced apart and laterally oifset intermediate and upper spindle portions providing a support for records received on said upper spindle portion, and discharge means including a displacement element operable between said intermediate and upper spindle portions and having a side surface portion arranged to engage. the lowermost record in the stack to eject the same from said support and an upwardly curving top surface portion for entering the lowermost interface to engage the next to lowermost record and lift the same whereby the weight and pressure of the remainder of the stack of records is removed from said lowermost record during ejection thereof.

2. In a phonograph having a record turntable, a transfer mechanism for supporting above said turntable a plurality of vertically superimposed records having an interface between adjacent records comprising a spindle mounted coaxially of the turntable and including relatively axially spaced apart and laterally offset intermediate and upper spindle portions providing a support for records received on said upper spindle portion, and discharge means including a displacement element operable between said intermediate and upper spindle portions and having a vertical peripheral record contact surface arranged for engagement with the lowermost record in the stack to eject the same from said support and an upper surface inclining inwardly and upwardly from said vertical peripheral record contact surface, said inclined surface entering the lowermost interface to engage the next to lowermost record and move the same vertically upward during the ejecting movement whereby the weight and pressure of the remainder of the stack of record is' removed from said lowermost record during ejection thereof.

3; In a phonograph having a turntable rotatable about an axis for sequentially playing aplurality of vertically superimposed records having interfaces between adjacent records, a spindle positioned coaxially with said turntable, a shoulder formed in said spindle spaced above the turntable for supporting the plurality of vertically superimposed records, displacing means movably mounted on said spindle and having a foot element, said foot element being positioned below the lowermost interface and having an inwardly and upwardly tapered portion extending above said lowermost interface, and means for moving said displacing element relative to the spindle to laterally move the lowermost record and move. the tapered portion into the lowermost interface whereby the remaining pl'uralityof records are moved vertically upward.

4. In combination with a spindle for supporting a plurality of vertically superimposed records having interfaces between adjacent. records, means formed on said spindle for supporting said superimposed records, displacin means having a foot formed at one end thereof, one end of said foot being tapered inwardly and upwardly from a point on the foot, means for movably mounting said displacement means on said spindle with the point substantially in alignment with the lowermost interface, and means for: moving. thefoot relative to the spindle to 17 move the lowermost record laterally and to move the tapered portion into th lowermost interface whereby continuous movement of the foot portion moves the superimposed records vertically upward..

ALFRED E. COMSTOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,012,185 Erbe Aug. 20, 1935 2,043,789 Ansley June 9, 1936 2,216,029 Wright Sept. 24, 1940 2,235,693 Wells Mar. 18, 1941 2,239,359 Banning Apr. 22, 1941 2,287,098 Habegger June 23, 1942 Number Number 15 822,026 477,325 68,487 239,044 64,485

Name Date Ofien Aug. 18, 1942 Erwood Jan. 5, 1943 Often Jan. 26, 1943 Wissner May 11, 1943 Cranner et al. Jan. 25, 1944 Faulkner Aug. 15, 1944 Thompson et a1. Aug. 29, 1944 Becwar Jan. 30, 1945 Weaver May 22, 1945 Thevenaz Dec. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Sept. 6, 1937 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1937 Norway Oct. 23, 1944 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1946 Denmark May 13, 1946 

